The sun...caterpillars....and the need to read instruction manuals.

I finally managed to escape the padded cell on Monday, released from the conversations of the four walls surrounding me.  I know that sounds as if I'm going slightly mad, but after being cooped up in the hovel for days on end, unable to do some filming due to the sun having gone on strike, or holiday, for about ten long days, then you shouldn't be that surprised by my reaction.

Yes, it's late spring and you can't help wonder if it's just the winter being extended because Mother Nature has decided she has a sense of humour.  A warped sense of humour I might add.  Of course the lack of sun and warm weather might well be the result of global warming, and whilst the proponents might have a point I also tend to think that the strange behaviour of the weather is perfectly normal.  No matter how easy it is to pin the blame on the human race for its disgraceful abuse of the environment and natural resources, the Earth's history has been dominated by extremes of weather change; perhaps this is just another.

But back to the 'great escape'.  One of the things my city is blessed with is a river running through its centre, and plenty of parks through which to casually amble and soak in the fresh air.  And although Starbucks may not be everyone's cup of tea, I spend the occasional time drinking my frappucino by the side of the river.  All of this has nothing whatsoever to do with the great escape, but it's nice being slightly frivolous which clearly indicates that 'Englishmen shouldn't go out into the midday sun.'  Which makes you wonder if there's any connection between the nasty effects of the sun and the British love for fried food.

Anyway back to the story in hand, which seems such a long time ago now.  I wandered down to the park of my choice, the river running along its entire length, frantically searching for a bees nest to film.  You may view this however you wish, but there is a thin line separating madness and inspired creativity, and I always lean toward the latter.  Disappointed not to find nature's constant perplexing question 'In terms of physics how on earth does the bee manage to fly?' I happened upon a row of hawthorn trees close to the path I was walking along, which contained a number of finely woven hammocks, slung between branches, full of minute black eggs and developed caterpillars.  Needless to say I became somewhat excited by the 2cm wriggly things, which undoubtedly proves I might need to get a life after all.  That aside, it was wonderful to watch a moment, and film it, where all the elements of nature came together in one perfect moment.

Watching those delightful nondescript caterpillars going about their natural business, cocooned for a brief period of time before setting off on their own eventful journeys, it's somewhat educational to watch the natural behaviour of wildlife in its true environment and the simple pleasures it provides to the well-being of the human psyche. 

And the filming, well it just goes to show that no matter educated you are, you realise why they teach you to read from a very early age, such is the penalty for being enthusiastically creative.  I finally understand those comments of my school teachers who use to write on my reports 'tried hard but needs to concentrate more.'  As for the sun, I give up!

Politics, bees and the innocence of childhood!

A strange week has passed, with the world passing by in its own peculiar way.  The British general election turned up a result that nobody was in the least bit surprised by, and whilst this particular election was the first since 1997 to stir up some interest in my skeptical attitude towards all things involving British politics, nevertheless the boredom with it all is back.  I thank god that British elections only run for about a month, whilst the American elections for president last around 18 months or so.  As for the hung parliament that resulted from the 'I prefer to sit on the fence, than actually do something radical' British electorate, and consequently no political party ended up with a majority, that could form a government, well the British have ended up with exactly the very things they complained about.  I find it unsurprising that the British character remains stuck in its world of serfdom and servility.

Anyway, enough of the politics and on to more pleasing news!  I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have visited this blog, over the past month I've seen an increase of over 300% in visitors, which I find amazing and somewhat humbling.  This in turn has led to more people downloading the free sample of my book, 'Nick & Jenny', along with a small increase in those who've bought a copy.  And on top of that, more people have begun to look at my webpage for 'English Support Services', which has seen visitor traffic increase by 800%.  Of course I can't rest on my laurels, as it were, and so the hard, but pleasurable, work continues apace.  So, again, a very BIG THANK YOU for all your support in making my 'dreams' come true.

Whilst I'm on the subject of my novel, 'Nick & Jenny' I've been asked about the paperback version of the book.  All I can say at the moment is that it will be published in paperback form in the future, but that's sometime off as I've another novel, 'Danny's Navel Adventure' due to be published in June/July time, in addition to other projects I'm working on, which doesn't leave me with the time to do everything I'd like.

One of the big pluses' of this week is that I've finally started working on my film about the trip to the USA during Dec. '09 to Jan. '10.  The downside to it all was my realisation that I'd taken more film and photos than I'd thought, and there's going to be lots left out of the final film, which at this early stage is running at 35 minutes long with a long way to go before it's finished.  The good thing is that the beginning and end of the film is almost done, in terms of film content and titles, but the music tracks have to be added and I'm still arguing with myself about whether I should add a voice over; the worry is that the voice will start to argue with me.

Finally, after spending far too long locked up in the hovel, I decided to escape.  Well it was a very pleasant late afternoon, or appeared to be.  Walking to my intended destination, the local graveyard, where I wanted to contemplate my navel and do some wildlife filming, the cheerful fluffy bits above my head became more threatening.  As I was in my normal mood of cheery glee and endless useless thoughts, I ignored the brewing storm.  Fifteen minutes later I'm sheltering under a tree, but fortunately I discovered a bees nest in the surrounding earth.  Not one to give up a missed opportunity, and the dense foliage of the tree protecting me and my camcorder, I set the camera up on the sturdy tripod.  I was totally engrossed in watching the few bees enter the entrance to the nest, they clearly far more intelligent than I due to them going home and I staying put.  After ten minutes or so the rain eased off enough for people to start wandering through the park, and a young girl, she must have been about seven or so, heavily blessed with the joys of innocent ignorance and driven by unending amounts of childish curiosity, inched her way ever closer to me.  Clearly, a raving lunatic of decaying years, wearing an open necked shirt and wearing a cord jacket, pointing his camcorder at some spot of muck was too much for her.  In her delightfully charming way, she slipped slightly on the damp grass above the nest and to steady herself placed her foot, heavily, on the nest entrance.  All I could do was smile and pack up as no further filming was possible.  The moral of the story is that whilst a bee is a fascinating insect to watch, it's hard to compare with the innocence of childhood and a child's uncanny ability to screw up an adult pleasure with the slip of a foot.